Adding external website links to your professional profile is a straightforward way to increase visibility and credibility for your work, portfolio, or business. A strong LinkedIn profile acts as a central hub for your professional identity. Incorporating links directs visitors to the tangible evidence of your skills and accomplishments, such as a personal website or company page. This provides direct access to external content, ensuring interested parties can easily explore the depth of your experience and maximize your online presence.
Adding the Primary Website Link to Your Profile Introduction
The most prominent location for a website link is in the introduction section, visible near your profile picture and headline. To add this link, navigate to your profile and select the pencil icon to edit your introductory card. Scroll down in the main edit window and click the “Contact info” section to open the pop-up window.
Within the contact information pop-up, locate the “Websites” area to input your main URL. After pasting the address, choose a website type from the dropdown menu (Personal, Company, or Other). Selecting “Other” is recommended, as it allows you to customize the anchor text—the clickable words that appear on your profile. Customize the anchor text to clearly describe the destination, such as “My Design Portfolio,” instead of displaying the raw URL. Saving your changes places a highly visible, descriptive link directly on your profile header.
Utilizing the Featured Section for Project Links
The Featured section offers a dynamic promotional space designed to showcase your best work, media, or posts. This area is situated below your About section and is an effective tool for drawing attention to specific achievements or recent projects that warrant direct external links. You can use this section to highlight a recent blog post, a case study, or a visual portfolio hosted on a separate site.
To add content, locate the Featured section on your profile and click the plus icon, selecting the “Add a link” option. Pasting a URL automatically generates a preview card that includes an image, title, and description. This visually appealing display is useful for creatives or those in project-based roles, as it allows you to present a rotating selection of compelling work samples that support your professional narrative.
Linking Websites Within Experience and Education Entries
Incorporating links within your Experience and Education sections provides contextual support and tangible evidence for your past roles and achievements. These links serve a functional purpose by connecting specific historical items on your profile to relevant external resources. For instance, you can link a company’s main website under a job title or attach a project’s website directly to a university degree or course entry.
To implement these links, click the pencil icon to edit the specific experience or education listing. Inside the edit function, scroll down to the “Media” subsection. Select “Add media” and then choose “Add a link.” Pasting the URL creates a clickable preview card attached to that role or degree, allowing visitors to instantly access the external site for more information about your work or studies. This method ensures your claims are easily verifiable and adds depth to your professional history.
Hyperlinking in the About Section and Posts
The About section and content posts offer text-based linking opportunities, but the platform’s functionality differs from structured fields. In the About section, LinkedIn does not allow for true hyperlinking of specific words or phrases. The full URL must be pasted directly into the text field. While these URLs are not clickable, they remain visible and can be copied and pasted into a browser, making them a viable option for sharing a website address.
Conversely, when creating a new post or a long-form article, the linking process is more streamlined. Pasting a URL into the post editor automatically generates a clickable link, often with a visual preview card. This functionality is designed to drive traffic and engagement, making it the preferred method for sharing external content updates with your network.
Optimizing Your Links for Professional Impact
Strategic link management involves ensuring that every link contributes positively to your professional image. A fundamental step is confirming that every external website you reference is active, secure, and loads quickly, with a focus on using the secure HTTPS protocol. This simple check prevents potential employers or clients from encountering broken links or security warnings, which can undermine your credibility.
Leveraging custom anchor text, as available in the primary website field, is a powerful strategy for clear communication. Instead of generic phrases, use descriptive text like “Interactive Portfolio” or “Company Service Page” to set clear expectations for the visitor. Regularly reviewing your profile’s links and updating the Featured section with your most current and relevant work ensures that your profile remains a dynamic and accurate representation of your evolving career.